Fluid pressure apparatus for successively clamping and deforming tube ends



Aug. 2, 1949. E. HULL ETAL 2,478,102

H. FLUID PRESSURE APPARATUS FOR SUCCESSIVELY CLAMPING AND DEFORMING TUBEENDS Filed Dec. 26, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 2, 1949. H HULL ETAL2,478,102

FLUID PRESSURE APPARATUS FOR SUCCESSIVELY CLAMPING AND DEFORMING TUBEENDS Filed Dec. 26, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 2, 1949. H. E. HULL ETAL2,478,102

FLUID PRESSURE APPARATUS FOR SUCCESSIVELY CLAMPING AND DEFORMING TUBEENDS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 26, 1944 Aug. 2, 1949. H. E. HULL ETAL2,478,102

FLUID PRESSURE APPARATUS FOR SUCCESSIVELY CLAMPING AND DEFORMING TUBEENDS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 26, 1944 Aug. 2, 1949. H. E. HULL ETAL2,478,102

FLUID PRESSURE APPARATUS FOR SUCCESSIVELY CLAHPING AND DEFORMING TUBEENDS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 26, 19447////////////%/////////////////////////////////////////////fl///////////////4 W N N Wm m x M fi kg, w, p H. f QR a I\\W\ X m mw\\ mm. n K m w mm w\ m QN1 \N m.\ fi w hm h h N NM &

ZI mam/boos Pym, 725mm Aug. 2, 1949. H. E. HULL ETAL 2,478,102

' FLUID PRESSURE APPARATUS R SUCCESSIVELY CLAMPING AND DEFORM TUBE ENDSFiled Dec. 26, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 wmkw rk wags Patented Aug. 2, 1949FLUID PRESSURE APPARATUS FOR SUC- CESSIVELY CLAMPING AND DEFORMING TUBEENDS Henry E. Hull and Theodore H.Rote, Cleveland,

Ohio, assignors to The Parker Appliance Company, Cleveland, Ohio, acorporation of Ohio Application December 26, 1944, Serial No. 569,751

10 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to tube machines and more particularly tohydraulically operated tube end deforming machines.

An important object of the invention is to provide a tube deformingmachine with novel means for positioning and clamping the end of thetube to be deformed, and hydraulic means associated therewith foractuating the clamping and deforming means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tube deforming machineof the above character wherein the clamping means comprises a chuckformed of equal segments and having means for releasably engaging thesegments on the tube as it is inserted and removed from the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tube deforming machineof the above character wherein there is employed a pair of pistonsoperating in individual cylinders, one of the pistons actuating the tubeclamping means and the other piston actuating the tube deforming means.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a tube deformingmachine of the above character wherein valve means is provided betweenthe pistons to assure quick release of the clamping means and quickwithdrawal of the deforming means after the deforming operation has beencompleted.

These and other objects will in part be obvious and will in part behereinafter more fully disclosed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an end elevational view of a tube deforming machineembodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 22 ofFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, takensubstantially on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic circuit for operatingthe machine.

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the tube holding chuck.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view thereof.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a slightly modifiedform of tube deforming machine which enables tubes of different sizes tobe flanged.

Figure 8 is an elevational view of a series of collars used in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a modified form ofdeforming tool illustrating the first operation of double flaring a tubeend.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 illustrating the secondoperation of forming the double flared end.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating theinvention as used for forming a bead on a tube.

Referring to the drawings for a more detailed description thereof, andparticularly Figures 1, 2 and 3, the new and improved machine comprisesa substantially rectangular shaped base plate I on which is mountedspaced upright members 2 and 3, said members being mounted at each endof the base plate and secured thereto by means of bolts or the like 4.Mounted between the uprights 2 and 3 is a pair of cylinders 5 and 6maintained in spaced relation by means of the spacer bar I. The cylinder5 carries a piston 8 and the cylinder 6 carries a piston 9, said pistonsbeing suitably packed by means Ill within the cylinder, and the functionof which will be hereinafter more fully described. The uprights 2 and 3,cylinders 5 and 6, and spacer member I are linked together by means ofthe tie bolts l I, there being preferably provided eight of these tiebolts as shown in Figure 1 of the drawing.

The front upright member 2 is formed with an annular recess I! at itsouter end for receiving a cam ring l3 and chuck M, the chuck being heldagainst longitudinal movement by means of the plate l5, and said platebeing held in position by means of studs A provided with scalloped thumbnuts B. The recess I2 is of a depth substantially equal to the length ofthe chuck l4, and thus said chuck is held against longitudinal movementbetween said plate and the rear wall It of the recess l2. The chuck I 4is adapted to grip the tube I! as the end of the latter is to bedeformed, and the plate I5 is provided with a central bore l8 throughwhich the tube is insorted.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings. the chuck l4 comprises fourtapered segmental members I9, the outer periphery of which is formedwith an annular groove 20 for receiving a snap ring. This snap ring 20'maintains the segments in unitary relation at all times. The chuckfurther includes coil springs 2| mounted in drilled holes in eachsegment so that the segments will be urged out of tube grippingengagement for permitting the completed tube to be readily removed and anew one inserted therefor. As will hereinafter appear, the segments ofthe chuck are urged into tube gripping engagement by means of the camring l3, and it is to be understood that as the cam ring moves out ofcontact with the chuck, the coil springs 2| cause the segments to.spring away from tube gripping engagement.

The cam ring is is also mounted within the annular recess l2, said ringhaving a bore 22 tapering downwardly and outwardly and generallyconforming to the shape of the outer periphery of the chuck l4. Thuswhen the cam ring is shifted toward the right as viewed in Figure 2, thechuck segments are actuated radially inward to grip the tube H for theend deforming operation. The cam ring I3 is actuated-by the piston -9 inthe rear cylinder 6 and is connected to said piston by means of fourdraw bolts 23. The forward end of the draw bolts 23 are provided withknurled nuts 24 which extend through the plate I and are held againstthe ring l3 as shown in Figure 2. The other end of the draw bolts 23screw threadedly engage a plate 25 which plate is mounted on the end 26of the piston 9, being locked thereon by means of the lock nut 21'. Thepiston 9 is formed with a central bore 21 throughout its length andmounted within said bore is a guide sleeve 28 whose end 29 screwthreadedly engages the spacer member I. Thus, it will be seen that asthe piston 9 moves toward the right or left as viewed in Figure 2, itwill be guided on the sleeve 28 and will carry with it the plate 25,draw bolts 23 and cam ring i3 since these parts are all interengageable.As before indicated, movement of the cam ring |3 to the left releasesthe chuck I4 so that a tube can be released and a new tube inserted.

This piston 8 is movable toward the left as viewed in Figure 2 fordeforming the end 30 of the tube l1 held within the chuck i4. Thispiston is formed with a central bore 3| in which is received a shaft 32carried by the spacer member 1, suitable packing 33' being provided forsealing the tube on the shaft, the shaft being adapted to guide thepiston in its movement. The end 33 of the piston 8 is hollow and extendsthrough front upright member 2. This end supports a cylindrical shapedflaring element 34 backed at one end by a tension spring 35, its otherend being cone-shaped as indicated at 36 for flaring the tube end 30.The flaring element 34 is provided with an annular flange 31 that islocated within a counterbore 31' in upright member 2, forming anabutment shoulder for the piston end l3. This annular flange is alsoengageable with a pin 38 disposed in said counterbore for properlylocating the end of the tube with respect to the chuck l4. The pin 38 iseccentrically mounted in a sleeve member 39 so that when the sleeve isrotated the pin moves forward and backward as desired with respect tothe chuck l4. The sleeve 39 is yieldably held in any set position by aspring member 48 which engages notches 4| in the face of the enlargedend 42 of the sleeve. Only 180 degrees of the face is notched sinceobviously 180 degrees turning of the sleeve will shift the pin 38 fromits rearmost to its foremost position. Rotation of the sleeve iseffected through the lug 43. After the tube has been positioned andlocked within the chuck i4, movement of the piston 8 to the left willcause the end 33 thereof to engage the annular flange 31 for forcing theconical end 36 of the flaring element 34 into the end of the tube forflaring the end of the tube. The means for actuating the pistons 8 and 9will be hereinafter more fully described.

The means of operating the machine is preferably hydraulic. and as shownin Figure 3 of the drawings, the upright 2 is formed with a fluidpassage 44 terminating at 46 within the cylinder 5, and communicatingwith the left hand side of the piston 8. Likewise, upright 3 has a fluidpassage 46 therein terminating at 41 and communicating with the righthand end of the piston 9. The spacer member 1 has a passage 48terminating at 49 and communicating with the left hand side of piston 9.The spacer member 1 is further formed with a passage 50 to affordcommunication between the cylinders 8 and 9. Mounted centrally of thespacer 1 and projecting beyond the end thereof is a restrictor or needlevalve 5|, the lower end of which is movable in an aperture 52communicating with the passage 50. The projecting end of the valve 5|carries a handle 53 for rotation of the valve when desired, to adjustthe passage of fluid through the aperture 52. As shown in Figure 2 ofthe drawings the aperture 52 communicates with "a horizontal passage 54leading into the cylinder 8. The passage 50 has mounted therein aball'check valve 54' backed by a 'coil spring 55 removably held in thepassage by means of a lock ring 56. As will hereinafter appear, thecheck valve 54' prevents passage of the fluid directly into the cylinder5 from the cylinder 6. r

The schematic diagram of the hydraulic circuit for operating the machineis illustrated in Figure 4 and includes a reservoir 51, pump 58, reliefvalve 59 and reversing valve 80. The reversing valve is adapted to beactuated for conveying the fluid from the reservoir to the pistons 8 and9 for moving the piston 9 to the rightv and the piston 8 to the leftduring the tube end deforming operation. and after the deformation ofthe tube, to move the piston 8 to the right and the piston 9 to the leftfor releasing the completed tube. It is thought that the operation ofthe hydraulic circuit is readily obvious from an inspection of Figure 4of the drawing. With the reversing valve 60 in the position shown infull lines, fluid passes from the reservoir through the ports a and 1)into the line 6| and from the line 6| to the line 62 which communicateswith passage 48 for moving the piston 9 to the right, piston 9 being thechuck actuatin piston. At the same time fluid will enter the cylinder 5through the restrictor valve 5| and line 63 to move the flaring coneactuating piston to the left. As the respective pistons move, the fluidexhausted from the cylinders will pass through the lines 64 and 65 andthrough the ports 0 and d of the reversing valve 68 to be returned tothe reservoir through the line 66. When the reversing valve is shiftedto the dotted line position, fluid from the reservoir will pass throughthe ports a and c into the line 61 and from the line 61 up through thelines 84 and 65 communicating with the passages 44 and 48 respectively,for moving the flaring cone actuating piston to the right and the chuckactuating piston to the left. Fluid from the cylinder 5 will then beexhausted through the line 63, restrictor valve 5| and check valve 54,entering the line 6| and returning to the reservoir 51 through thereversing valve ports b and d. Likewise, fluid being exhausted from thecylinder 6 will enter the lines 62 and 6| and return to the reservoirthrough the ports 11 and d. The check valve 54 being positioned betweenthe cylinders 5 and 6 assures quick release of the chuck l4 and alsoquick withdrawal of the flaring element 34 after the deforming operationhas been completed.

In the operation of the device, let it be assumed that the reversingvalve 60 is in the dotted line for flaring the tube.

- 8 position at which time pistons 8 and I are in engagement with thespacer member 1. In this position the segments l8 oi the chuck I 4 areseparated so that a tube can be readily inserted therein and pushedagainst the cone shaped end 3B of the flaring element IS. with thepiston 8 thus in engagement with the spacer member I, the outer end 33thereof will be out of engagement with the flaring element flange 31 sothat as the tube is pressed against the flaring element, said elementmoves toward the right until its flange 31 engages the pin 38. 01'course, prior to starting operation, the pin 38 has been properlypositioned for correct location of the tube, and thus said tube, whenthe flange 81 engages the pin 38, is properly located with respect tothe chuck. With the tube held in this position, the reversing valve 88is shifted to the solid line position whereby fluid will enter thecylinder 6 through the passage 48 from the line 82 and the pressure ofthe fluid will move the piston 8 on its sleeve 28 toward the rightmoving the cam ring is toward the right through the draw bolts 23 andplate 28, causing the segments l8 of the chuck M to be contracted togrip the tube. After the chuck segments have closed to grip the tube,pressure will build up in the cylinder 6 so that fluid under pressuretravels through the passage '58, aperture 52 and passage 54 into thecylinder to actuate the piston 8 toward the left, carrying with it theend 33 and effect contact thereof with the flange 31. This will move theflaring element 34 into the tightly gripped tube end for flaring the endthereof as indicated at 88. The reversing valve 60 is then shifted tothe dotted line position whereby the pistons 8 and 8 are actuated towardthe spaced member 1. Movement of the reversing valve to the dotted lineposition causes fluid to enter the cylinder 5 through the passage 44,moving the piston 8 toward the right and exhausting the fluid therefromthrough the passage 58 since the check valve 54' will be moved away fromits seat by the pressure of the fluid. Likewise, the piston 8 isactuated toward the left by fluid entering the passage 46 and as the'piston moves toward the left the fluid within the cylinder will beexhausted through the passage 49 to be returned to the reservoir. ofcourse, the fluid being exhausted from the cylinder 5 which passesthrough the check valve control passage 58 will also be returned to thereservoir through the spacer member passage 48.

From the above description when taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings it will be apparent that there has been provided amachine adapted to be used for flaring or otherwise deforming a tube endin which the tube clamping means is operated by one piston and the tubeend deforming means is operated by another piston. The restrictedpassage which is controlled by the needle valve 5i causes the tube endto be initially clamped by the chuck and then deformed by the deformingelement. The check valve positioned between the pistons assures quickrelease of the clamp or chuck and quick withdrawal of the deforming toolafter the deforming operation has been completed.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figure '1, the operatingelements are all of similar construction to those shown in Figure 2. Therecess in which the flaring head 88 operates has been enlarged so as topermit the shifting of the position of the head in the sleeve 33 of thereciprocating piston which moves the flarin head In this form ofconstruction, a washer 1| is placed between the flange 31 on the flaringhead and the sleeve 33. This will offset the head outwardly slightly. Asshown in Figure 8, washers of various sizes may be used. When a tube ofsmaller diameter than the tube 18 is to be flanged, then the chuck willbe changed to conform to the size of the tube and a. smaller washer 1|inserted so that upon the reciprocation of the piston 8, the flaringhead will be moved into the tube only a sufflcient distance to form aflare on the smaller tube. If a larger tube is to be flared, then thechuck members will be changed to conform to the larger tube and a largerwasher will be inserted so that the flaring head will move further intothe tube, and thus a larger tube will be flared. In this modified formof structure shown in Figure '1, by selecting the proper thickness ofwasher and the proper chucking members, tubes of various sizes may beflared.

The operation of the machine with this form of the invention is exactlythe same as that above described and it is not believed that furtherdescription is necessary.

In Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings there is illustrated a modified formof construction for forming a double flare on a tube. In this form ofthe invention the chuck, cam ring, locating pin, pistons and hydraulicactuating means are the same as in the preferred form of the invention.It will be noted that a different type of flaring element is associatedwith the piston 8, the flaring element in this insta ce having acylindrical end 12 received within th end 33 of the piston, said pistonend adapted to engage the collar 14. Extending outwardly from the collar14 is a cylindrical portion 15 carrying a reduced end 16 to be insertedwithin the tube 11. The portion 15 is moved into engagement with thechuck I4 as the piston 8 moves toward the left forming the single flare18 on the tube. Of course, the tube 11 is positioned on the end 16 andpushes the deforming element rearwardly until the shoulder 14 contactsthe pin 38 prior to the deforming operation in the manner previouslydescribed. In order to form the double flare 19 shown in Figure 10 ofthe drawing, the deforming element 12 is substituted with a seconddeforming element 80. The deforming element 80 differs from deformingelement 12, only in shape and size of the tube contacting end 8|. Itwill be noted that the end 8| is conical shaped and is relatively shortin length whereas the end 16 is cylindrical shaped and is relativelylong in length thereby projecting within the tube a greater distancethan the end 8|. As the deforming element 88 is moved toward the leftupon actuation of the piston 8, the end 8| will deform the tube 11 withthe double flared portion 19, the operation being readily obvious fromthe foregoing description.

In Figure 11 of the drawings there is shown a construction whereby abead can be formed on the tube with the same machine used for forming aflare thereon. The only change made is in the deforming element, and itwill be noted that there is provided a deforming element 82 which isslidably mounted within the end 33 of the piston 8, the portion 83 ofthe deforming element being formed with a central bore 84 -for receivingthe shaft 32. The deforming element 82 carries a mandrel 85 which isscrewthreadedly engaged within the shaft 32, said mandrel adapted to beinserted within the tube 86 to be beaded. The construction of the chuckl4 and cam ring I3 and the operation of these elements is the same as inthe preferred form.

A collar or flange 81 is formed on the deforming member 82 which flangeis adapted to contact the locating pin 38 and to be contacted by the end33 of the piston 8 during the deforming operation. The chuck contactingface of the deforming member 82 is formed with an annular recess 88, anda counterbore 89 communicating therewith, the depth of the recess 88being substantially equal to the size of the bead 98 to be formed on thetube 86., v

' In the operation of this form of the invention, with the chucksegments in disengaged position, the tube 86 is slid on the mandrel 85and pushed thereon until its end is held within the counterbore 89. Theentire deforming element is then pushed rearwardly until the shoulder 81engages the pin 38 thereby locating the tube relative to the chuck l4.As the piston 8 is moved toward the left, in the manner previouslydescribed, the deformin element being brought into engagement with theface of the chuck through the end 33 of piston 8, will effectdeformation of the tube 86 into the shape of the bead 98 shown.

It is obvious that many changes may be made in the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spiritof the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a tube deforming machine, the combination of a supporting base,front and rear upright members attached to said base, said front uprightmember being formed with an annular recess, a tube end clamping chuckheld within said recess, means for urging said chuck into and out oftube clamping engagement, tube end deforming means movable in said frontupright member, a spacer member between said upright members, a cylinderdisposed on each side of said spacer member, pistons operable in saidcylinders, a restricted passage in said spacer member communicating withsaid cylinders, and means whereby one piston is operated to first causesaid means to urge the chuck into tube end clamping engagement andsubsequently operate the other piston to actuate said tube end deformingmeans.

2. In a tube deforming machine, the combination of a supporting base,front and rear upright members attached to said base, said front uprightmember being formed with an annular recess, a tube end clamping chuckheld within said recess, means to properly locate said tube end relativeto said chuck, means for urging said chuck into and out of tube clampingposition, tube end deforming means movable in said front upright member,a spacer member between said upright members, a cylinder disposed oneach side of said spacer member, pistons operable in said cylinders, arestricted passage in said spacer member communicatin with saidcylinders, and means whereby one piston is operated to first cause saidmeans to urge the chuck into tube end clamping engagement andsubsequently operate the other piston to actuate said tube end deformingmeans.

3. In a tube deformin machine, the combination of a supporting base,front and rear upright members attached to said base, said front uprightmember being formed with an annular recess, a tube end clamping chuckheld within said recess, means for urging said chuck into and out oftube clamping engagement, tube end deforming means, a spacer memberbetween said side of said spacer member, pistons operable in saidcylinders, a passage in said spacer member communicating with saidcylinders, means for operating said pistons to cause the tube end to befirst clamped and then deformed, and valve means in said passage toassure quick release of said clamped end and withdrawal of the deformingtube after completion of the deforming operation.

'4. In a tube deforming machine, the combination of tube clamping means,tube deforming means, a first chamber and a fluid pressure operatedpiston movable therein and operatively connected with said Clampingmeans, a second chamber and a fluid pressure operated piston movabletherein and operatively connected with said deforming means, means fordirecting pressure fluid into the first chamber to move the pistontherein for actuating the clamping means, and means for directingpressure fluid from said first chamber into the second chamber to movethe piston therein for actuating said deforming means.

5. The structure defined in claim 4, wherein said last named meanscomprises a controllable bleed duct located between said first andsecond chambers.

6. The structure defined in claim 4, and check controlled means locatedbetween said chambers to assure quick release of said clamping means andwithdrawal of the deforming means after completion of the deformingoperation.

'7. In a tube deforming machine, the combination of tube clamping means,tube deforming means, a first chamber and a fluid pressure operatedpiston movable therein and operatively connected with said clampingmeans, a second chamber and a fluid pressure operated piston movabletherein and ,operatively connected with said deforming means, saidchambers being coaxially arranged for permitting coaxial movement ofsaid pistons, means for directing pressure fluid into the first chamberto move the piston therein for actuating the clamping means, and meansfor directing pressure fluid from said first chamber into the secondchamber to move the piston therein for actuating said deforming means.

8. In a tube deforming machine, the combination of tube clamping means,tube deforming means, a first chamber and a fluid pressure operatedpiston movable therein and operatively connected with said clampingmeans, a second chamber, and a fluid pressure operated piston movabletherein and operatively connected with said deforming means, saidchambers being coaxially arranged in spaced relation, means fordirecting pressure fluid into the first chamber to move the pistontherein and actuate the clamping means, and valve controlled meansbetween said chambers for directing pressure fluid from said firstchamber into the second chamber to move the piston therein for actuatingsaid deforming means. I

9. In a tube deforming machine, the combination'of a tube clampingmeans, a tube end deforming device, means for supporting and positivelymoving said device into the tube in a direction longitudinally of thetube for deforming the end thereof, a spring for initially moving saidtube end deformin device toward the tube clamping means and away fromthe moving means therefor, and means for limiting the extent of movementof the tube end deforming device toward the operating means thereforwhen upright members, a cylinder disposed on each 1 a tube is insertedin the clamping means and pushed against the tube end deforming devicewhereby the extent to which the tube may be inserted into the tubeclamping means may be determined.

10. In a. tube deforming machine, the combination of a tube clampingmeans, a tube end deforming device, means for supporting and positivelymoving said device into the tube in a direction longitudinally of thetube for deforming the end thereof, a spring for initially moving saidtube end deforming device toward the tube clamping means and away fromthe movin means therefor, a stop for limiting the extent of movement ofthe tube end deforming device toward the operating means therefor when atube is inserted in the clamping means and pushed against the tube enddeforming device, and means for adjusting the position of said stopwhereby the extent to which the tube may be inserted into the tubeclamping means may be varied.

HENRY E. HULL.- THEODORE H. ROTE.

REFERENCES crrEn The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

